Um, hi? *peeks out form the corner of the room*I know it's been so long maybe you've forgotten the storyline at all, my deepest apology *bow deep, deeply* It's just, as expected, it all collapsed when I have to write and study at the same time, because my writing depends solely on my writing mood, and you know that too many homework = bad mood, so, yeah… I'm sorry?
But I won't ever drop a translation nor a story, cause I know how much bugging and frustrating it'll be to never get an ending of a story u.u
Anyway, thanks for all the views, favs, follows, and reviews this translation been getting, it feels good that there's many other who enjoy this story xD
And another note, to those who's following Tell Me Your Lies, I'm sorry, I still don't know when it'll be updated, hopefully soon, but rest assured I'll never drop it, I just need my inspiration to come back and let me finish the plot x.x
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Words count: 2,943
Rate: T
Warning: typo(s), grammar error(s), possibly OOC, alternate timeline, possible BL/shonen-ai
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Disclaimer :
Detective Conan and Magic Kaito fully belong to Aoyama Gosho
This story belong to reiei
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Now, let the story begins…
o.O.O.o.o.O.O.o
Chapter 13
- 13rd Luck –
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Kaito fulfill his promise to take Shinichi to visit Aoko that weekend. And he's glad that he decided to bring Shinichi with him as he sees Hakuba, seated beside Aoko, painstakingly peels an apple for her. He unconsciously takes a step back behind Shinichi, trying to avoid the British detective.
"Ah, Kaito!" Aoko's the first one who realizes their presence.
"Hey, Aoko," Kaito throw a smile at her direction before elbowing Shinichi as a sign for him to go in first.
The detective grumbles but he still complies.
"Kudo, Kuroba," Hakuba greets them with a nod.
"Hi Hakuba, and Mrs. Hakuba," he replies before handing the parcel of fruits to the husband.
"Please just call me Aoko!"
"Thanks for the fruits, even though you don't have to bother with these."
"You must be Kudo Shinichi-san, right? I think we haven't formally introduces ourselves yet, I'm Hakuba Aoko," Shinichi doesn't have the time to properly replies her introduction before she adds, "I want to give you my gratitude for helping Saguru-kun and Kaito all this time."
The young-mother-to-be finishes with a deep bow – or at least as deep as she can, remembering her sitting position and her bulging stomach mush be a hassle to do a proper bow. Shinichi politely bows back.
"Nice to meet you too, Aoko-san. And no need to thank me, honestly I'm not much of a help."
"Aoko's right, Kudo. Thank you…and," Hakuba shifts his seat to face Kaito, "I think I owe you an apology, Kuroba. I'm sorry for my words from before, but I think that was for the best for Aoko. And thank you… for accepting my selfish request."
"Don't get me wrong, Hakuba. I'm here for Aoko, not for you. Don't think I'll apologize for punching you that day."
Shinichi stare at the both of them as they bicker with an amused smile, while Aoko just let out a long sigh.
"Stop it, you two. You give me a headache," Aoko protests, which successfully make them fall silent, just like children that just get scolded by their mother. Shinichi can't help but laugh at that.
Aoko easily steer them out of sensitive topic, let them chat about neutral things. Aoko also keep trying to include Shinichi in their little talk – like asking for his opinion, his experiences – to make sure he doesn't feel left out.
Sometime they suddenly engrossed in discussing about their unsolved cases in both Shinichi's division as well as Hakuba's, and every time it happens Kaito have to scold them not to talk about murder case in front of a pregnant woman.
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Hakuba junior born at the beginning of February, and even though she's born a week faster than doctor's presumption, the baby is delivered safe and sound. She has Hakuba's blonde hair and Aoko's wide eyes. Kaito is sure she will grow into a pretty woman.
Hakuba seems so proud while holding their baby and Aoko looks like she can't stop smiling. Seeing all that, Kaito can even see the big placard with 'Happy Family' written above them. Their little family is complete, and he knows there isn't any place left for him inside the picture.
"Congratulation, Aoko, Hakuba, you're officially a parent now," Kaito says to the happy couple. He just visits Aoko in the evening, after his morning work shift is over, which make the best excuse not to meet both Aoko and Hakuba's parent as they have left in the afternoon.
Aoko replies his greeting as she nods, even Hakuba lost his sour face that he always wear every time he's with Kaito.
"Thank you," he replies shortly, eyes still glued to the crying baby in his arms.
"Have you decided a name for her?"
"Yes! Her name is Akane!" Aoko says cheerfully.
"Ah, good name…"
Aoko's smile grows wider hearing that. "Hi, Akane-chan, nice to meet you," the magician says to the baby as he wiggle his finger in front of her, letting her hold into his index finger with her tiny hands.
"She seems to like you, Kuroba," Hakuba says as he sees the baby gradually stop crying.
"Oh, jealous, Hakuba?" he teases, then he chuckles seeing Hakuba's sour face. "I think she's calming down because she feels safe inside his father embraces."
Hearing that, Hakuba's proud face is coming back. Kaito won't ever know that being a father can change people into this degree. Then he can't help but to think about his father, was he this happy when he was born?
Before he can drown in nostalgia, Kaito hurriedly tries to change their conversation subject, "Aoko, until when do you have to stay in the hospital?"
"Hm? The doctor said that he wanted to monitor my and Akane-chan's condition for about a week before discharging us," she replies as she accepts Akane from Hakuba with a warm and motherly stare.
"But if there's nothing wrong they can be discharged before that," Hakuba adds. Kaito nods in understanding, wondering whether he'll be invited to their house or not to himself.
"Ne, Kaito – "
Aoko's speech is disturbed by somebody opening the hospital door quite loudly. A pretty black haired woman in an ivory one-piece and brownish cardigan walks in elegantly.
Kaito blinks a few times, making sure that this is indeed the woman he'd knew or not. Greetings from Aoko and Hakuba proof him right.
"Good evening. Congratulation for your first daughter," she says.
"Akako-chan! Thank you!"
"Good evening Akako-san. Thank you."
Hakuba shift from his place to let Akako comes closer to Aoko as she takes a peek at the baby. She compliments the baby – which only makes the smile on Aoko's face grows – then hesitantly hold her up.
"S-so small."
"Um. But the doctor said it's normal."
"I think newborns just small like that," Hakuba adds.
"Akako-chan will be a good mother too you know. Still don't have any plan to have some children?" Aoko teases. Akako just replies with her usual 'ohoho' laugh.
And when Akako gives Akane back to Aoko her eyes meet Kaito's.
"Ara. Kuroba-kun?"
"Yo, Akako. Long time no see~"
The witch just gives him a little nod, a smile curved in her lips, "It's been a long time indeed."
Akako seems inspecting him upside down, then gives a satisfied nod to herself out of the blue. "I'm glad you seems healthy, Kuroba-kun. Better than when you're in jail, eh?"
Kaito stiffen. Is that mean that Akako knows what happened when he was jailed? How does she know? No, maybe it's just him being paranoid. It's nothing strange to assume that being jailed will worsen one's life, right? He tries to think logically and suppress his suspicion. On the other side, Kaito can't help but think that the witch indeed has know all the things that should be impossible to discover many times in the past.
"Yep, live inside a prison is just bad in all kind of way. I don't plan on ever going back," he answers cheerfully, poker-face back on guard.
"Only fools want to be jailed twice," Hakuba sneers. Kaito ignores Hakuba and chats with Akako instead, which make the blonde pouts and Akako can't help but chuckles at that.
Not too long after that a nurse comes in to take Akane-chan to the baby ward, while the four of them continues their little talk.
"Saguru-kun is still popular, you know. Every time we went out there's just always somebody staring at us," Aoko says.
"I don't know what good from a guy like him though," Kaito adds as he shakes his head to dramatize his opinion.
"I'm more confused as to why you're quite popular, Kaito. I mean, you're just a pervert who enjoys pranking people!"
"Tsk, tsk, Aoko, it's not my fault that people recognize my charisma, right? And I have a handsome face after all," Kaito smirks as his right hand conjure a rose out of nowhere.
"Do you need me to lend you a mirror, Kuroba? Your face is clearly so-so."
"Hoo? Do you not accept my handsomeness, Hakuba? I – "
"You boys, can you stop talking about nonsense? If you're talking about popularity then obviously I'm the most popular one here," Akako says.
"Ah, right, right. Akako-chan was so popular, even Saguru-kun was charmed~"
"A–Aoko – " Hakuba's face clearly grows reddens, either because he's embarrassed that Aoko said that to Akako or because he's embarrassed that Aoko know about that.
"Ohoho, of course. Every male should be charmed by me," Akako says proudly.
"Maa, Akako is cute indeed, if only you're not as annoying as you were then maybe I'll be charmed by you too."
"W–Who're you saying annoying?! How rude!"
The four of them continue their little chat, be it reminiscing about their past or about latest news. They laugh, throwing jokes here and there sometimes even cursing after made victim of Kaito's pranks.
And because of their little bonding time Kaito knows about the changes in his old friend's life. Aoko and Akako have graduated from Keio University, even though they choose different major, and Hakuba even have finished his magister degree. He's promoted to Tokyo a year ago, and after that he braces himself to propose to Aoko. Oh, and even Akako's married to a young and rich businessman, which totally unsurprising for Kaito.
Kaito's grateful that they don't bring up about KID, or about his family, because even if he has accepted it, talking about that still makes his chest constricts painfully. And he's really, really grateful that these people still accept him, pulling him back into their life.
"Ah, now that you mention it, Hakuba's obsession in Holmes is worse that Shinichi, isn't it?"
"Eh? Really, Kaito?"
"What stupid things are you saying, Kuroba?"
"Weren't you liked to cosplay as Holmes back then? Do you still wear it while solving cases?"
"It's not a cosplay, it is a totally normal fashion in England!"
Oh, really? 'Totally normal fashion' in which century?"
Kaito's still grinning madly, while Hakuba looks like he wants to choke him. But their tension snaps when a nurse announces that their visiting time is up. Kaito and Akako then takes their leave, after promising that, yes, they will be visiting them again after they're permitted home.
"Akako, need me to walk you home?"
"No need to, my pick up is already waiting for me."
Kaito nods and with that they continue their walk down the hospital corridor in silence.
And true to Akako's word, he can see a car waiting for her right outside the hospital – Kaito knows from the chauffeur that bows as he sees Akako coming out of the hospital.
"Just like a princess eh, Akako?" he teases.
"Ohoho, of course," Akako just laugh it off instead. She waves at Kaito for a moment before walking towards her pick up. Kaito is just about to go when he hears her calling his name.
"Kuroba-kun."
"Yea, Akako?"
"You're free of both your guilt and your past, don't you think it's time to free your heart too, Kuroba-kun?"
"Huh? What – "
"I'm sure – ah, no, I KNOW everything will be alright, there's nothing left to be afraid of, now you just need to be honest with yourself."
Kaito just stands there, frozen. He's trying to deciphers Akako's words, trying to know what she means. But before he's able to move and ask, the car in front of him has gone.
Months later, he'll finally know what she means.
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"Paris?"
It's when the two of them are enjoying their quality time with a coffee in hand, that Kaito decides it's the right timing to tell Shinichi.
"Yeah. I've told you that I want to continue pursuing my dream as a magician, haven't I?"
Shinichi nods, then he continue to take a sip at his coffee, that's been halted when Kaito suddenly tells him that he'll be going to Paris. "But why Paris?"
"Well… it's just a stupid reason," Kaito rubs at his nape and smiles awkwardly, "Dad and Mom met for the first time there, and, well, I think I kind of want to see it for myself? And I want to add my own memories there, I want to make that special place as the place where I take off…"
Shinichi stare at him long, after months living with Kaito, this can be the first time he sees Kaito smiles wholeheartedly without a tad bit of sadness while talking about his deceased parents, and he somehow wants to preserve that smile.
"Does it mean you want to continue your carrier as KID in Paris?"
"Don't be stupid, Shin," Kaito snorts, "KID is Dad's identity, not mine, and I don't plan on ever borrowing it again. And haven't I told you that I don't want to be thrown back in jail again? Or you've grown senile now, Shinichi?"
Ignoring Kaito's mockery, Shinichi tries again, "So you want to go as a magician for real, huh?"
It's not a question, more like a statement. And even though both of them know about it, Shinichi still asks, and Kaito still nods to answer him.
"When will you leave?"
"In two weeks."
Shinichi glares holes at him and Kaito just laugh it off, "You've planned it for a long time without telling me."
"Sorry, sorry. I'm not too sure about it before, it's just yesterday that I've managed to wrap it all. You should be proud that you're the first person I've told about this, Shin."
"You haven't even informed Aoko-san? I think you should be prepared for a long scolding."
Kaito grimaces, "Yeah, I think I should be ready to face Aoko."
Both of them continue to sip their coffee in silence while listening to the rain that still pours hardly. At least until Shinichi decides to bombard Kaito with questions yet again.
"Do you have any relatives in Paris?"
"There's this famous magician that had teamed up with Dad long time ago, and he's willing to help me while I'm in Paris."
Shinichi nods, seems relived that Kaito's not stupid enough to go to neighboring country alone.
"You sure you have enough money to spend there?"
"Hey, what do you take me for, Shin?" Kaito asks with a mock offended face, but seeing that Shinichi's not buying it, he just chuckles. "It's fine, I've saved up enough, thanks to you for letting me staying here for free so I can save up most of my salary."
Shinichi just snorts, "I'm also staying here for free, Father's the one who pays all the bills," he says casually.
"Oh, that's true," Kaito laughs at that, somehow it sound like Shinichi doesn't want him to feel that he owed the detective. "And there's some left from Dad's inheritance, and I'll be working there too, no need to worry about me, Shin."
Shinichi nods in understanding, "Well, that's good."
"Ah, but I'm gonna miss you, Shin. Won't you miss me?" he teases him, a smirk in full blast plastered in his face.
Shincihi rolls his eyes at Kaito's antics, "Don't expect too much about it."
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Kaito begins to prepare for his departure after that. Shinichi's also helping him packing some of his stuff, and, with a little bit of pleading from Kaito's side, accompanying him to the Hakuba household. Aoko's wrath is not as bad as he thought, he even get some protesting looks from Hakuba – and he previously thought that the blonde will be glad to have him go far away from his family. Kaito doesn't know where Akako live, so he just informs her thought phone. It all goes well, and now he just needs to wait for his upcoming departure day.
Or that's what he thought before he finds Shinichi lays unconscious in the living room a week before the appointed day.
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to be continued
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Firstly, I'm really sorry for the grammatical error that should be abundant in this chapter, I don't do any rechecking, so, well, if you notice a grave mistakes, please inform me I'll try my best to correct it.
Secondly, there're like, 3 more chapters including the epilogue before this story is complete. I dunno when I'll update this, but it won't be more than a month this time, I promise .
So, finally, thank you to you who still reading this annoying translation of mine, see you soooon~